LIBER LIBRÆSVB FIGVRÂ XXX

A∴ A∴ Publication in Class B.

Issued by order: D.D.S.7○ = 4□Premonstrator

O.S.V.6○ = 5□Imperator

N.S.F.5○ = 6□Cancellarius

Learn first — Oh thou who aspirest unto our
ancient Order! — that Equilibrium is the basis of the
Work. If thou thyself hast not a sure foundation, whereon
wilt thou stand to direct the forces of Nature?

Know then, that as man is born into this world
amidst the Darkness of Matter, and the strife of
contending forces; so must his first endeavour be to seek
the Light through their reconciliation.

Thou then, who hast trials and troubles, rejoice
because of them, for in them is Strength, and by their
means is a pathway opened unto that Light.

How should it be otherwise, O man, whose life is
but a day in Eternity, a drop in the Ocean of time; how,
were thy trials not many, couldst thou purge thy soul
from the dross of earth?
Is it but now that the Higher Life is beset with
dangers and difficulties; hath it not ever been so with
the Sages and Hierophants of the past? They have been
persecuted and reviled, they have been tormented of men;
yet through this also has their Glory increased.

Yet, oh aspirant, let thy victories bring thee not
Vanity, for with increase of Knowledge should come
increase of Wisdom. He who knoweth little, thinketh he
knoweth much; but he who knoweth much hath learned his
own ignorance. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool, than of him.

Be not hasty to condemn others; how knowest thou
that in their place, thou couldest have resisted the
temptation? And even were it so, why shouldst thou
despise one who is weaker than thyself?

Thou therefore who desirest Magical Gifts, be sure
that thy soul is firm and steadfast; for it is by
flattering thy weaknesses that the Weak Ones will gain
power over thee. Humble thyself before thy Self, yet fear
neither man not spirit. Fear is failure, and the
forerunner of failure: and courage is the beginning of
virtue.

Therefore fear not the Spirits, but be firm and
courteous with them; for thou hast no right to despise or
revile them; and this too may lead thee astray. Command
and banish them, curse them by the Great Names if need
be; but neither mock nor revile them, for so assuredly
wilt thou be lead into error.

A man is what he maketh himself within the limits
fixed by his inherited destiny; he is a part of mankind;
his actions affect not only what he calleth himself, but
also the whole universe.

Worship and neglect not, the physical body which
is thy temporary connection with the outer and
material world. Therefore let thy mental Equilibrium be
above disturbance by material events; strengthen and
control the animal passions, discipline the emotions and
the reason, nourish the Higher Aspirations.

Do good unto others for its own sake, not for
reward, not for gratitude from them, not for sympathy. If
thou art generous, thou wilt not long for thine ears to
be tickled by expressions of gratitude.

Remember that unbalanced force is evil; that
unbalanced severity is but cruelty and oppression; but
that also unbalanced mercy is but weakness which would
allow and abet Evil. Act passionately; think rationally;
be Thyself.

True ritual is as much action as word; it is Will.

Remember that this earth is but an atom in the
universe, and that thou thyself art but an atom thereon,
and that even couldst thou become the God of this earth
whereon thou crawlest and grovellest, that thou wouldest,
even then, be but an atom, and one amongst many.

Nevertheless have the greatest self-respect, and
to that end sin not against thyself. The sin which is
unpardonable is knowingly and wilfully to reject truth,
to fear knowledge lest that knowledge pander not to thy
prejudices.

To obtain Magical Power, learn to control thought;
admit only those ideas that are in harmony with the end
desired, and not every stray and contradictory Idea that
presents itself.

Fixed thought is a means to an end. Therefore pay
attention to the power of silent thought and meditation.
The material act is but the outward expression of
thy thought, and therefore hath it been said that
“the thought of foolishness is sin.” Thought is
the commencement of action, and if a chance thought can
produce much effect, what cannot fixed thought do?

Therefore, as hath already been said, Establish
thyself firmly in the equilibrium of forces, in the
centre of the Cross of the Elements, that Cross from
whose centre the Creative Word issued in the birth of the
Dawning Universe.

Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs,
but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong
like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and
ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the
Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be
laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid
grossness and avarice.

So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy
soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the
elements. For wert thou to summon the Gnomes to pander to
thine avarice, thou wouldst no longer command them, but
they would command thee. Wouldst thou abuse the pure
beings of the woods and mountains to fill thy coffers and
satisfy thy hunger of Gold? Wouldst thou debase the
Spirits of Living Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred?
Wouldst thou violate the purity of the Souls of the
Waters to pander to thy lust of debauchery? Wouldst thou
force the Spirits of the Evening Breeze to minister to
thy folly and caprice? Know that with such desires thou
canst but attract the Weak, not the Strong, and in that
case the Weak will have power over thee.

In the true religion there is no sect, therefore
take heed that thou blaspheme not the name by which
another knoweth his God; for if thou do this thing in
Jupiter thou wilt blaspheme יהוה
and in Osiris יהשוה. Ask
and ye shall have! Seek, and ye shall find! Knock, and it
shall be opened unto you!

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